Overview
- The Crew fired first-year coach Henrik Rydström and promoted assistant Laurent Courtois to interim head coach, a move that preceded a tactical and results reset.
- Courtois’ team has won two straight matches since his promotion, beating New York City FC 1-0 in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal and then defeating Atlanta United 2-0 on Sunday.
- The tactical switch returned Columbus to a Nancy-style 5-2-3 with attacking wingbacks, a setup that produced heavy first-half possession and two clean sheets in succession.
- Young and role players stepped up: Sekou Bangoura scored his first MLS goal, Diego Rossi added his sixth of the season, Mohamed Farsi provided two assists in the Atlanta game, and Max Arfsten is reported likely to make the U.S. World Cup roster.
- Columbus enters the extended World Cup break outside the Eastern Conference playoff line and will resume MLS play in late July while preparing for a U.S. Open Cup semifinal later this year when the team may add players to the roster.